Speed control assembly for appliance

ABSTRACT

A speed control assembly for an appliance includes a bracket. The bracket is aligned with a slot defined by an appliance body. A cam is slidably coupled with the bracket and has an engagement edge positioned at an angle relative to the bracket. A lever is operably coupled with the cam and extends through the slot. The lever is configured to move the cam along the bracket. A slider is fixedly coupled with the bracket. A magnet housing is operably coupled with the slider and is configured to house a magnet. The magnet housing defines a recess. A ball bearing is magnetically coupled with the magnet housing and is positioned within the recess. The ball bearing is configured to be selectively engaged with the engagement edge of the cam. A Hall-effect sensor configured to detect the position of the magnet.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a speed control assembly,and more specifically, to a speed control assembly for an appliance.

BACKGROUND

Operating systems of stand mixers often include a user interface or knobto adjust a speed of the mixer. The user interface or knob are coupledwith a speed control assembly for adjusting the speed.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a speed controlassembly for an appliance includes a bracket. The bracket is alignedwith a slot defined by an appliance body. A cam is slideably coupledwith the bracket and has an engagement edge positioned at an anglerelative to the bracket. A lever is operably coupled with the cam andextends through the slot. The lever is configured to move the cam alongthe bracket. A slider is fixedly coupled with the bracket. A magnethousing is operably coupled with the slider and having a magnet disposedtherein. The magnet housing defines a recess. A ball bearing ismagnetically coupled with the magnet housing and is positioned withinthe recess. The ball bearing is configured to be selectively engagedwith the engagement edge of the cam. A Hall-effect sensor configured todetect a position of the magnet.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a speed controlassembly for an appliance includes a cam slidably coupled with abracket. The bracket is positioned proximate a printed circuit board(PCB). The cam has an engagement edge positioned opposite the bracket. Aslider is fixedly coupled with the bracket and defines a channel. Alever is operably coupled with the cam. The lever is configured to movethe cam between the bracket and the slider. A magnet housing is slidablyreceived by the channel of the slider and having a magnet disposedtherein. A ball bearing is magnetically coupled with the magnet housingand is configured to be selectively engaged with the engagement edge ofthe cam. A Hall-effect sensor is configured to detect a position of themagnet.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a speedcontrol assembly for an appliance includes a bracket. The bracket isoperably coupled with an appliance body proximate an edge of a PCB. Thebracket defines a bracket slot aligned with a lever slot of theappliance body. A cam is slidably coupled with the cam such that anengagement edge of the cam is positioned opposite the bracket. Theengagement edge is oriented at an angle relative to the edge of the PCB.A plurality of retention spaces are defined by the engagement edge. Amagnet housing is operably coupled with a slider and has a magnetdisposed therein. A ball bearing is magnetically coupled with the magnethousing and is movable along the engagement edge of the cam. AHall-effect sensor is configured to detect a position of the magnet.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the presentdisclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilledin the art by reference to the following specification, claims, andappended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a stand mixer appliance, accordingto various examples;

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of a speed control assembly for a standmixer, according to various examples;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the stand mixer appliance of FIG. 1taken along line III-III and illustrating a speed control assembly,according to various examples;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the speed control assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side profile cross-sectional view of the speed controlassembly of FIG. 3 taken along line V-V; and

FIG. 6 is a side perspective cross-sectional view of the of a ballbearing engaged with a cam of the speed control assembly of FIG. 3 takenalong line V-V.

The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasisinstead being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations ofmethod steps and apparatus components related to a speed controlassembly for an appliance. Accordingly, the apparatus components andmethod steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventionalsymbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that arepertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure soas not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readilyapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of thedescription herein. Further, like numerals in the description anddrawings represent like elements.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in FIG. 1. Unlessstated otherwise, the term “front” shall refer to the surface of theelement closer to an intended viewer, and the term “rear” shall refer tothe surface of the element further from the intended viewer. However, itis to be understood that the disclosure may assume various alternativeorientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It isalso to be understood that the specific devices and processesillustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the followingspecification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive conceptsdefined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and otherphysical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed hereinare not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly stateotherwise.

The terms “including,” “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variationthereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that aprocess, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elementsdoes not include only those elements but may include other elements notexpressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, orapparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises a . . . ” does not,without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identicalelements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprisesthe element.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, reference numeral 10 generally designates aspeed control assembly for an appliance 12. The speed control assembly10 includes a bracket 14. The bracket 14 is aligned with a lever slot 16defined by an appliance body 18. A cam 20 is slidably coupled with thebracket 14 and has an engagement edge 22 positioned at an angle Arelative to the bracket 14. A lever 24 is operably coupled with the cam20 and extends through the slot 16. The lever 24 is configured to movethe cam 20 along the bracket 14. A slider 26 is fixedly coupled with thebracket 14. A magnet housing 28 is operably coupled with the slider 26and is configured to house a magnet 30. The magnet housing 28 defines arecess 32. A ball bearing 34 is magnetically coupled with the magnethousing 28 and is positioned within the recess 32. The ball bearing 34is configured to be selectively engaged with the engagement edge 22 ofthe cam 20. A Hall-effect sensor 36 configured to detect a position ofthe magnet 30.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the appliance 12 is illustrated as a countertopstand mixer appliance (“stand mixer”). The stand mixer 12 of FIG. 1includes the appliance body 18 including an articulating mixer head 50and an appliance base 52. The appliance base 52 is configured to beoperably coupled with a receptacle 54 for mixing. The appliance base 52may define a receiving space 56 configured to at least partially receivethe receptacle 54. A pedestal 58 may extend upward from the appliancebase 52 to support the mixer head 50. The mixer head 50 includes aprimary drive 62 with a drive shaft 64 extending downward from the mixerhead 50 and a secondary drive 68 configured to be operably coupled withvarious attachments (e.g., juicer assemblies, pasta assemblies, etc.).

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the mixer head 50 further houses a motorassembly 72 and motor controls 74, including the speed control assembly10 which is electrically coupled with the motor assembly 72 and/or themotor controls 74. The motor assembly 72 is configured to power theprimary drive 62 and/or the secondary drive 68. While the stand mixer 12is illustrated as a tilt-head stand mixer, it is contemplated that thespeed control assembly 10 disclosed herein may be used with anyappliance including, for example, blenders, food processors, or othermotorized appliance without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, the mixer head 50 defines a cavity 80configured to house at least the speed control assembly 10. A basemember 82 is positioned within the cavity 80 to support variouscomponents of the stand mixer 12, including the speed control assembly10. The base member 82 may be of a shape and size to fully extendthrough the cavity 80. For example, the base member 82 may be configuredas a lower housing positioned within the mixer head 50. Alternatively,the base member 82 may be sized to support the various components andextend at least partially across the cavity 80 of the mixer head 50.

The mixer head 50 further defines the lever slot 16 positioned above thebase member 82 and in communication with the cavity 80. The lever slot16 extends at least partially along a side of the mixer head 50. Invarious examples, indicia 86 may be positioned on the mixer head 50proximate the lever slot 16 to display a plurality of selectable speedsettings to a user.

The lever slot 16 is configured to receive the lever 24. As illustratedin FIG. 1, the lever 24 is configured as a slidable control knob. Thelever 24 may include an arm 88 extending through the lever slot 16 andsized to be slidable along the lever slot 16. The arm 88 may be at leastpartially positioned exterior of the mixer head 50 and may be operablycoupled with a grip 90. The lever 24 is provided as a user controldevice that is accessible from an exterior of the mixer head 50 and isconfigured to allow a user to select one of the selectable speedsettings. When the user slides the lever 24 along the lever slot 16 toselect the desired speed setting (e.g., to align the arm 88 and/or grip90 with the respective indicia 86), the motor controls 74 generallyattempt to operate the motor assembly 72 at the desired speed (see FIG.2). It is contemplated that the lever 24 may be internal to the mixerhead 50 and movable by a user interface positioned exterior of the standmixer 12 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the speed control assembly 10 is schematicallyillustrated within the mixer head 50. The bracket 14, the slider 26, andthe magnet housing 28 are removed for clarity. The Hall-effect sensor 36is positioned on and electrically coupled with a printed circuit board(PCB) 94. The Hall-effect sensor 36 is positioned between the magnet 30and the PCB 94. The Hall-effect sensor 36 is configured to detect aposition of the magnet 30 as is moved by movement of the cam 20 duringoperation of the speed control assembly 10, as discussed in more detailbelow. The Hall-effect sensor 36 is configured to measure a magnitude ofa magnetic field 96 of the magnet 30. As the magnet housing 28 is movedby movement of the cam 20, the magnetic field 96 from the magnet 30 asdetected by the Hall-effect sensor 36 changes (e.g., increases as thecenter of the magnet 30 approaches the Hall-effect sensor 36). Based onthe change in the strength of the magnetic field 96, the Hall-effectsensor 36 outputs a voltage to a controller 98. Based on the outputvoltage from the Hall-effect sensor 36, the controller 98 providesinstructions to the motor controls 74 of the motor assembly 72 toincrease or decrease the speed of the motor assembly 72. This includes,but is not limited to, turning on and off and/or adjusting the speed ofthe motor assembly 72.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the speed control assembly 10 is illustratedassembled within the cavity 80 of the mixer head 50. The speed controlassembly 10 is further illustrated in FIG. 4 in an exploded view toillustrate the various components of the speed control assembly 10. Asshown in FIG. 3, the speed control assembly 10 may be at least partiallysupported by the base member 82. For example, one or both of the bracket14 and the PCB 94 may be fixedly coupled with the base member 82.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the speed control assembly 10 includesthe bracket 14 fixedly coupled with the mixer head 50 of the appliancebody 18. The bracket 14 includes a sliding edge 102 positioned in aspaced-apart relationship with the PCB 94 and on an opposite side of thebracket 14 from the PCB 94. However, it is contemplated that the slidingedge 102 may be positioned on the same side of the bracket 14 as the PCB94 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The bracket 14 defines a bracket slot 104 extending parallel with thesliding edge 102. The bracket slot 104 is configured to be aligned withthe lever slot 16 of the mixer head 50 when the speed control assembly10 is assembled. The bracket slot 104 is configured to at leastpartially receive the lever 24 such that the lever 24 is slidable alongthe bracket slot 104 and the lever slot 16.

As best shown in FIG. 4, the bracket 14 further defines a bracketchannel 106 configured to slidably receive the cam 20, as discussed inmore detail below. The bracket channel 106 is generally defined to opentoward the cam 20 when the cam 20 is coupled with the bracket 14. Thebracket channel 106 is generally aligned parallel with the bracket slot104 such that the cam 20 may be at least partially received by one orboth of the bracket slot 104 and the bracket channel 106.

The bracket 14 further defines a plurality of receiving wells 114. Asillustrated in FIG. 3, the plurality of receiving wells 114 may bedefined by a lower portion of the bracket 14 positioned to align withthe base member 82. However, it is contemplated that the plurality ofreceiving wells 114 may be defined by any portion of the bracket 14 andmay be configured to align with the base member 82 and/or any otherportion of the mixer head 50 without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure. The plurality of receiving wells 114 are configuredto receive a plurality of fasteners 116 to couple the bracket 14 withthe mixer head 50 or base member 82. The plurality of fasteners 116 maybe any fastener configured to couple the bracket 14 with the mixer head50 or base member 82. When the bracket 14 is coupled with the mixer head50 or the base member 82, the bracket 14, including the sliding edge102, the bracket slot 104, and the bracket channel 106, extend along andare substantially parallel to an edge of the PCB 94.

Referring still to FIG. 3, the speed control assembly 10 furtherincludes the cam 20 slidably coupled with the bracket 14. The cam 20 isfixedly coupled with the arm 88 of the lever 24 and is movable along thebracket 14 by sliding the lever 24. By coupling the cam 20 with thelever 24, a force used to operate the speed control assembly 10 andsubsequently move the cam 20 is aligned with the movement of the cam 20.This alignment may provide added control during the selection of one ofthe plurality of speed selections using the lever 24.

With reference again to FIGS. 3 and 4, the cam 20 includes a body 120aligned with the bracket 14 and a sloped portion 122 extending away fromthe body 122. The body 120 of the cam 20 may include a plurality of feet124 configured to wrap around and engage with the sliding edge 102 ofthe bracket 14 when the cam 20 is coupled with the bracket 14. Theplurality of feet 124 are configured to retain the cam 20 in a slidingengagement with the bracket 14 and guide the movement of the cam 20along the bracket 14.

The sloped portion 122 extends from the body 120 and includes theengagement edge 22. As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the engagement edge22 is positioned at an angle A relative to the body 120 of the cam 20and the bracket 14. In other words, engagement edge 22 is positioned atan angle A relative to the body 120 of the cam 20, the bracket 14, andthe edge of the PCB 94. The angle A is a predetermined angle selectedbased on a relationship between the movement of the cam 20 and themagnet 30, as discussed in more detail below.

The engagement edge 22 of the cam 20 defines a plurality of retentionspaces 128 spaced apart along the engagement edge 22 and configured toselectively receive the ball bearing 34 when the speed control assembly10 is assembled within the cavity 80 of the mixer head 50, as best shownin FIG. 3. The plurality of retention spaces 128 may be equally orunequally spaced along the engagement edge 22 and may be equally orunequally sized. Each of the plurality of retention spaces 128 may havea generally arcuate shape to complement the shape of the ball bearing34.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the engagement edge 22 of the cam 20further defines a linear guide 130. The linear guide 130 extends alongthe engagement edge 22 proximate the plurality of retention spaces 128.When the ball bearing 34 is engaged with the plurality of retentionspaces 128, the linear guide 130 may be configured to at least partiallyreceive the magnet housing 28 and may guide the engagement of the magnethousing 28 with the engagement edge 22 of the cam 20, as discussed inmore detail below.

With reference now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the cam 20 include an extension 132configured to be at least partially received by the bracket slot 104.The extension 132 extends from the body 120 of the cam 20 in an oppositedirection from the sloped portion 122. When the cam 20 is coupled withthe bracket 14, the extension 132 is at least partially received by thebracket slot 104 and may be slidable along the bracket slot 104. As bestshown in FIG. 3, when the speed control assembly 10 is assembled, thearm 88 of the lever 24 may be received by the extension 132 to fixedlycouple the lever 24 with the cam 20. The extension 132 is configured tobe coupled with the arm 88 of the lever 24 such that the arm 88 extendsfrom the extension 132 and through the bracket slot 104 and the leverslot 16 of the mixer head 50, as previously discussed.

Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, the slider 26 is fixedly coupled withthe bracket 14 of the speed control assembly 10. As illustrated in FIG.4, the slider 26 includes a fixing portion 140 that defines a firstaperture 142 proximate a first post 144. The first post 144 extends fromthe fixing portion 140 substantially perpendicular to the slider 26. Thefirst post 144 is configured to be received by a second aperture 108defined by the bracket 14. The second aperture 108 is defined proximatea second post 110 extending from the bracket 14 parallel to the firstpost 144. The first aperture 142 of the fixing portion 140 is configuredto receive the second post 110, and the second aperture 108 of thebracket 14 is configured to receive the first post 144 to fixedly couplethe slider 26 with the bracket 14.

With continued reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the slider 26 extends fromthe fixing portion 140 and defines a slider channel 150. The sliderchannel 150 is at least partially defined by first and second sidewalls152, 154 extending upward from the slider 26 in a spaced-apartconfiguration. The first and second sidewalls 152, 154 are configured toat least partially retain the magnet housing 28 within the sliderchannel 150. For example, as best illustrated in FIG. 3, the first andsecond sidewalls 152, 154 may be configured to extend over the magnethousing 28 to prevent inadvertent release of the magnet housing 28 fromthe slider 26.

An end wall 158 is positioned opposite the fixing portion 140 andextends between the first and second sidewalls 152, 154 to furtherdefine the slider channel 150. The end wall 158 extends upward from theslider 26 and defines an opening 160 in communication with the sliderchannel 150. The opening 160 is axially aligned with the slider channel150 and is configured to at least partially receive the magnet housing28 when the speed control assembly 10 is assembled, as illustrated inFIG. 3.

Referring still to FIGS. 3 and 4, the magnet housing 28 includes a body170 configured to house the magnet 30 and a control extension 172extending from the body 170. The body 170 defines a magnet cavity 180configured to house the magnet 30 of the speed control assembly 10. Themagnet 30 is operably coupled with the magnet housing 28 and positionedwithin the magnet cavity 180. The magnet 30 is configured to slide alongthe slider 26 with the magnet housing 28.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the magnet housing 28 further definesthe recess 32 in communication with the magnet cavity 180 of the magnethousing 28 such that the magnet 30. The recess 32 is surrounded by a rim190 extending from the body 170 of the magnet housing 28. The recess 32is configured to receive the ball bearing 34 such that the ball bearing34 extends partially from the recess 32 and past the rim 190. The magnet30 is positioned within the magnet cavity 180 and is configured tomagnetically couple with the ball bearing 34 to retain the ball bearing34 within the recess 32.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, first and second lateral wings 182, 184extend from the body 170 proximate the magnet cavity 180 and alongopposing sides of the magnet cavity 180 and the magnet 30. As best shownin FIGS. 3 and 6, the magnet housing 28 is positioned within, andslidable along, the slider channel 150 of the slider 26. The first andsecond lateral wings 182, 184 of the body 170 of the magnet housing 28are configured to engage with the first and second sidewalls 152, 154 ofthe slider 26 when the magnet housing 28 is received within the sliderchannel 150. The first and second lateral wings 182, 184 are configuredto at least partially retain the magnet housing 28 within the sliderchannel 150 and are configured to guide movement of the magnet housing28 along the slider channel 150.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 6, a control extension 172 extends from thebody 170 and is configured to be coupled with a spring 176. The controlextension 172 is sized to be received by, and extend through, theopening 160 defined by the end wall 158. The control extension 172 mayhave a circular cross-section, a square cross-section, an X-shapedcross-section, or any other cross-section configured to be coupled withthe spring 176 and extend through the opening 160 without departing fromthe scope of the present disclosure.

The spring 176 is positioned over and coupled with the control extension172. In other words, the spring 176 wraps around or encircles thecontrol extension 172. As best illustrated in FIG. 6, when the magnethousing 28 is coupled with the slider 26, the spring 176 is configuredto abut the end wall 158 and is configured to bias the body 170 of themagnet housing 28 away from the end wall 158 of the slider 26 andtowards the engagement edge 22 of the cam 20. When the control extension172 is received by the opening 160 of the end wall 158, the controlextension 172 acts as an anti-buckle feature to prevent buckling of thespring 176 within the slider channel 150.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the body 170 of the magnet housing 28further includes a tab 194 extending opposite the control extension 172.The tab 194 is aligned with the recess 32 and the rim 190 configured toretain the ball bearing 34. The tab 194 is sized to be received by theguide 130 of the engagement edge 22 of the cam 20. When the ball bearing34 is engaged with the plurality of retention spaces 128, the tab 194 isinserted within the guide 130. As the ball bearing 34 moves along theengagement edge 22, the tab 194 is configured to slide along the guide130 to guide the movement of the ball bearing 34 and prevent inadvertentdisengagement of the ball bearing 34 and the engagement edge 22.

Referring again to FIG. 3, when the speed control assembly 10 isassembled, the magnet housing 28 is slidably coupled with the slider 26and the slider 26 is fixedly coupled with the bracket 14. The cam 20 isslidably positioned between the magnet housing 28 and the bracket 14.When the cam 20 is slidably translated in a first direction X by thelever 24, the cam 20 moves along the bracket 14. As the cam 20 moves,the engagement edge 22 slides in the first direction X between themagnet housing 28 and the bracket 14. The ball bearing 34 is configuredto engage with the plurality of retention spaces 128 as the cam 20 isslidably translated along the bracket 14 by the lever 24. The angle A ofthe engagement edge 22 causes the engagement edge 22 to press againstthe bias of the spring 176 in a second direction Z, moving the magnethousing 28 toward the end wall 158 of the slider 26 as the cam 20 ismoved along the bracket 14. As the magnet housing 28 moves toward theend wall 158, the magnet 30 is simultaneously moved toward the end wall158 of the slider 26.

Because the sloped portion 122 of the cam 20 includes the engagementedge 22 positioned at the angle A, the movement of the cam 20 in thefirst direction X is translated to movement of the magnet 30 in thesecond direction Z. As previously discussed and illustrated in FIG. 2,the Hall-effect sensor 36 is configured to sense the position of themagnet 30 as the magnet 30 is moved in the second direction Z by themovement of the lever 24 and the cam 20. The angle A of the engagementedge 22 is configured to provide a predetermined proportionalrelationship between the movement of the cam 20 and the lever 24 in thefirst direction X and the movement of the magnet 30 in the seconddirection. For example, the angle A may be configured such that fromabout 40 mm to 50 mm of movement of the cam 20 by the lever 24 in thefirst direction X provides from about 10 mm to about 14 mm of movementof the magnet housing 28 and the magnet 30 in the second direction Zalong the slider 26 (e.g., for every 45 mm of movement of the cam 20 bythe lever 24 in the second direction X, there is a correspondingmovement of about 12 mm of the magnet housing 28 in the first directionZ).

Referring now to FIG. 6, the slider 26 further includes a spacingextension 196 extending downward from the end wall 158. The spacingextension 196 is configured to abut or align with the PCB 94 and isconfigured to define and maintain a spacing 200 between the PCB 94 andthe slider 26. The spacing extension 196 provides space to house theHall-effect sensor 36 and maintains the continuous spacing 200 betweenthe Hall-effect sensor 36 and the magnet 30 as the magnet 30 moves. Thecontinuous spacing 200 may minimize the effect of mechanical variationswithin the speed control assembly 10.

According to one aspect, a speed control assembly for an applianceincludes a bracket. The bracket is aligned with a slot defined by anappliance body. A cam is slidably coupled with the bracket and has anengagement edge positioned at an angle relative to the bracket. A leveris operably coupled with the cam and extends through the slot. The leveris configured to move the cam along the bracket. A slider is fixedlycoupled with the bracket. A magnet housing is operably coupled with theslider and has a magnet disposed therein. The magnet housing defines arecess. A ball bearing is magnetically coupled with the magnet housingand is positioned within the recess. The ball bearing is configured tobe selectively engaged with the engagement edge of the cam. AHall-effect sensor configured to detect a position of the magnet.

According to another aspect, a magnet housing includes first and secondwings configured to couple the magnet housing with a slider.

According to another aspect, a speed control assembly includes a springconfigured to bias a magnet housing toward an engagement edge of a cam.

According to another aspect, an engagement edge of a cam defines aplurality of retention spaces configured to selectively receive a ballbearing.

According to another aspect, a cam defines a guide extending along anengagement edge.

According to another aspect, a magnet housing includes a tab configuredto be received by a guide.

According to another aspect, a speed control assembly includes acontroller configured to receive output voltage from the Hall-effectsensor and provide instructions to motor controls to operate a motorassembly at a selected speed based on the position of the magnet.

According to another aspect, a speed control assembly for an applianceincludes a cam slidably coupled with a bracket. The bracket ispositioned proximate a printed circuit board (PCB). The cam has anengagement edge positioned opposite the bracket. A slider is fixedlycoupled with the bracket and defines a channel. A lever is operablycoupled with the cam. The lever is configured to move the cam betweenthe bracket and the slider. A magnet housing is slidably received by thechannel of the slider and has a magnet disposed therein. A ball bearingis magnetically coupled with the magnet housing and is configured to beselectively engaged with the engagement edge of the cam. A Hall-effectsensor is configured to detect a position of the magnet.

According to another aspect, a slider includes an end wall defining anopening.

According to another aspect, a magnet housing includes an extension anda spring positioned over the extension. The spring is configured to biasthe magnet housing away from an end wall of a slider.

According to another aspect, a slider includes a spacing extensionproximate an end wall.

According to another aspect, a ball bearing is movable along anengagement edge such that the engagement edge biases a magnet housingtoward an end wall.

According to another aspect, an engagement edge of a cam is positionedat an angle relative to an edge of a PCB.

According to another aspect, an engagement edge defines a plurality ofretention spaces configured to selectively receive a ball bearing.

According to another aspect, a spacing extension is configured to definea spacing between a slider and a Hall-effect sensor.

According to another aspect, a speed control assembly for an applianceincludes a bracket. The bracket is operably coupled with an appliancebody proximate an edge of a PCB. The bracket defines a bracket slotaligned with a lever slot of the appliance body. A cam is slidablycoupled with the cam such that an engagement edge of the cam ispositioned opposite the bracket. The engagement edge is oriented at anangle relative to the edge of the PCB. A plurality of retention spacesare defined by the engagement edge. A magnet housing is operably coupledwith a slider and has a magnet disposed therein. A ball bearing ismagnetically coupled with the magnet housing and is movable along theengagement edge of the cam. A Hall-effect sensor is configured to detecta position of the magnet.

According to another aspect, a speed control assembly includes a springconfigured to bias a magnet housing towards an engagement edge of a cam.

According to another aspect, a cam is operably coupled with a leverextending exterior of an appliance body.

According to another aspect, an engagement edge of a cam further definesa guide configured to at least partially receive a magnet housing.

According to another aspect, a magnet housing defines a wing configuredto couple the magnet housing with a slider.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art thatconstruction of the described disclosure and other components is notlimited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of thedisclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety ofmaterials, unless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of itsforms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining oftwo components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to oneanother. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature.Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical ormechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the twocomponents. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removableor releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement ofthe elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments isillustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the presentinnovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example,elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, theoperation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, thelength or width of the structures and/or members or connector or otherelements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustmentpositions provided between the elements may be varied. It should benoted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may beconstructed from any of a wide variety of materials that providesufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors,textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the present innovations.Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired andother exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of thepresent innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps withindescribed processes may be combined with other disclosed processes orsteps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. Theexemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrativepurposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

What is claimed is:
 1. A speed control assembly for an appliance,comprising: a bracket aligned with a slot defined by an appliance body;a cam slidably coupled with the bracket and having an engagement edgepositioned at an angle relative to the bracket; a lever operably coupledwith the cam and extending through the slot, wherein the lever isconfigured to move the cam along the bracket; a slider fixedly coupledwith the bracket; a magnet housing operably coupled with the slider andhaving a magnet disposed therein, wherein the magnet housing defines arecess; a spring configured to bias the magnet housing toward theengagement edge of the cam; a ball bearing magnetically coupled with themagnet housing and positioned within the recess, wherein the ballbearing is configured to be selectively engaged with the engagement edgeof the cam; and a Hall-effect sensor configured to detect a position ofthe magnet.
 2. The speed control assembly of claim 1, wherein the magnethousing includes first and second wings configured to couple the magnethousing with the slider.
 3. The speed control assembly of claim 1,wherein the engagement edge of the cam defines a plurality of retentionspaces configured to selectively receive the ball bearing.
 4. The speedcontrol assembly of claim 1, wherein the cam defines a guide extendingalong the engagement edge.
 5. The speed control assembly of claim 4,wherein the magnet housing includes a tab configured to be received bythe guide.
 6. The speed control assembly of claim 1, further comprising:a controller configured to receive output voltage from the Hall-effectsensor and provide instructions to motor controls to operate a motorassembly at a selected speed based on the position of the magnet.
 7. Aspeed control assembly for an appliance, comprising: a cam slidablycoupled with a bracket positioned proximate a printed circuit board(PCB), wherein the cam has an engagement edge positioned opposite thebracket, and wherein the engagement edge of the cam is positioned at anangle relative to an edge of the PCB; a slider fixedly coupled with thebracket and defining a channel; a lever operably coupled with the cam,wherein the lever is configured to move the cam between the bracket andthe slider; a magnet housing slidably received by the channel of theslider and having a magnet disposed therein; a ball bearing magneticallycoupled with the magnet housing and configured to be selectively engagedwith the engagement edge of the cam; and a Hall-effect sensor configuredto detect a position of the magnet.
 8. The speed control assembly ofclaim 7, wherein the slider includes an end wall defining an opening. 9.The speed control assembly of claim 8, wherein the magnet housingincludes an extension and a spring positioned over the extension, andfurther wherein the spring is configured to bias the magnet housing awayfrom the end wall of the slider.
 10. The speed control assembly of claim8, wherein the slider includes a spacing extension proximate the endwall.
 11. The speed control assembly of claim 8, wherein the ballbearing is movable along the engagement edge such that the engagementedge biases the magnet housing toward the end wall.
 12. The speedcontrol assembly of claim 7, wherein the engagement edge defines aplurality of retention spaces configured to selectively receive the ballbearing.
 13. The speed control assembly of claim 10, wherein the spacingextension is configured to define a spacing between the slider and theHall-effect sensor.
 14. A speed control assembly for an appliance,comprising: a bracket operably coupled with an appliance body proximatean edge of a printed circuit board (PCB), wherein the bracket defines abracket slot aligned with a lever slot of the appliance body; a camslidably coupled with the cam such that an engagement edge of the cam ispositioned opposite the bracket and is oriented at an angle relative tothe edge of the PCB; a plurality of retention spaces defined by theengagement edge; a magnet housing operably coupled with a slider andhaving a magnet disposed therein, wherein the engagement edge of the camfurther defines a guide configured to at least partially receive themagnet housing; a ball bearing magnetically coupled with the magnethousing and movable along the engagement edge of the cam; and aHall-effect sensor configured to detect a position of the magnet. 15.The speed control assembly of claim 14, further comprising: a springconfigured to bias the magnet housing towards the engagement edge of thecam.
 16. The speed control assembly of claim 14, wherein the cam isoperably coupled with a lever extending exterior of the appliance body.17. The speed control assembly of claim 14, wherein the magnet housingdefines a wing configured to couple the magnet housing with the slider.